How to Pack a Toiletry Bag That Meets Carry-On Rules

The carry-on toiletry bag rules in brief

For U.S. flights, carry-on toiletry bag rules are short and strict: each liquid, gel, cream, or aerosol must be in a container of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, all of those containers must fit in one quart-sized bag, and that bag should come out of your carry-on at screening. Get those right and your bag is far less likely to be pulled aside.

This reflects the TSA liquids rule as of September 2026. Other countries set their own limits, and some airports with newer scanners handle liquids differently, so check the screening authority for every airport you’ll depart from, including the flight home.

Container size is what counts

The limit applies to the size printed on the container, not how much is left inside. A half-empty 6-ounce bottle of sunscreen still gets confiscated. Buy travel-size versions or decant into refillable bottles that are clearly marked with their capacity.

People are often surprised by what counts as a liquid. Toothpaste, mascara, lip gloss, hair gel, peanut butter, and deodorant sticks in gel form all fall under the rule. If you can spread it, pump it, spray it, or pour it, assume it counts.

Choosing the bag itself

A clear, flat, zippered bag works better than a zip-top freezer bag that splits after two trips. Look for one that meets the quart size without bulging, since an overstuffed bag that won’t close is a common reason for a secondary check. Pack it last, near the top or in an outside pocket, so it comes out in one motion at the checkpoint.

Cutting down what goes in it

Space in that one bag disappears fast. Solid toiletries free up room because they don’t count as liquids: bar shampoo, bar soap, solid conditioner, powder foundation, and toothpaste tablets all skip the bag entirely. Multi-use products help too, like a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen.

Ask what you truly need before you land. Hotels often supply soap and shampoo, and most destinations sell basics if you run out. The larger versions can go in checked luggage if you’re checking a bag anyway.

Things that are handled differently

Medications, infant formula, and breast milk are exempt from the quantity limits in the U.S., but you should tell the officer at the start of screening and expect extra checks. Keep these separate from your toiletry bag so they don’t hold up the rest of your screening.

Duty-free liquids bought abroad have their own conditions when you connect through the U.S., including a sealed, tamper-evident bag and a receipt. Leave the seal intact until you reach your final destination.

A quick pre-flight check

Lay everything out the night before and check each label for its size. It’s a two-minute job that fits neatly into a night-before-a-flight checklist. If you’re fitting a longer trip into one bag, how to pack a carry-on for a two-week trip covers the rest of the layout.

Security officers have the final say on any item. When something is borderline, pack it in checked luggage or leave it at home rather than arguing about it at the belt.